Adelaide Hills resident Russell Latter photograph of soaked koala during South Australia storm goes viral
IT’S the moving image of a refuge-seeking koala in the Adelaide Hills floods that went viral — and now, happily, the man who took the photo believes he’s found the marsupial safe and sound.
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ADELAIDE Hills resident Russell Latter was out checking on storm damage when he captured a photograph of a soaked koala, which has become an internet sensation.
Mr Latter was walking near the Woodhouse Scout Camp, on Old Carey Gully Rd, at Piccadilly, when he saw the koala struggling in the pouring rain.
“I walked behind him to shuffle him along and he saw a fence post and he was quite excited by that and he climbed up on it,” he said.
“He then looked at me as if to say ‘Thanks for that, now find me a gum tree’.”
Mr Latter said the koala clung to the post for about a minute, then saw a desired gum tree — and headed towards it, clambering to the top where it was safe.
He went back on Thursday and believes he located the koala safe in a tree.
He managed to photograph the koala using his iPhone before it moved, sending his picture into The Advertiser, which made him the centrepiece of its front page.
The photograph has been shared widely across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, while the Today show featured The Advertiser front page on its Thursday morning show.
Mr Latter said since his photo appeared on the front page he had been contacted by numerous news outlets both in Australia and overseas, including multiple animal welfare magazines.
“There were a few others but they are all a bit blurry,” he said.
“It’s just gone crazy, everyone is interested to know whether the koala is okay.”
Mr Latter returned to see if he could locate the koala on Thursday, finding him safe and sound.
“Found him snoozing in a nearby tree,” he said.
“Not so wet any more.”
He said the photo’s publicity had also led to his first “proper” experiences with social media where he has been inundated with messages.
Mr Latter said he had dabbled in photography in the past and had pictures published in scuba diving magazines but had never elicited such a response.
“I’ve never really pursued photography as such,” he said.
“I just happened to be in the right place at the right time, I didn’t spend three days waiting for the perfect photo.
“It’s a bit of instant fame.”
Fauna Rescue SA Koala hotline manager Don Bigham said a couple of koalas had run into trouble during the heavy rain, including a mother and joey at Seaford Rise.
“They were in a small tree with flood water around it and were getting to the point of sending someone down to have a close look but they caller rang back and said she had been to check and it wasn’t in the tree anymore.
“To the best of our knowledge they are now safe.”
He said koalas tended to cope well during the rain, but could look “pretty bedraggled”.
Anyone who spots an injured or distressed koala can contact the Koala Hotline on 7226 0017.
